Scaling Behavior of Laser Population Dynamics with Time-Delayed Coupling: Theory and Experiment

We study the influence of asymmetric coupling strengths on the onset of light intensity oscillations in an experimental system consisting of two semiconductor lasers cross coupled optoelectronically with a time delay. We discover a scaling law that relates the amplitudes of oscillations and the coupling strengths. These observations are in agreement with a theoretical model. These results could be applicable to the population dynamics of other systems, such as the spread of disease in human populations coupled by migration.